Pathway of Sperm from a Testis to Outside the Body

Summary

This video explains the male reproductive duct system, detailing the journey of sperm from their production in the testes to their eventual exit from the body. Sperm are created in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, collected by the rete testis, and transported through efferent ductules into the epididymis where they mature. The sperm then travel through the ductus deferens, merging with the seminal vesicle to form the ejaculatory duct, which passes through the prostate gland. Finally, the sperm exit via the urethra, which is divided into the prostatic, membranous, and spongy regions.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sperm production occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, which are divided into lobules.
• 😀 The reedy testis is a maze of channels that collects sperm produced by the seminiferous tubules.
• 😀 Efferent ductules (12-15) convey sperm from the reedy testis to the epididymis for storage and maturation.
• 😀 The epididymis is divided into three regions: the head, body, and tail, where sperm are stored and mature over a period of about 20 days.
• 😀 The epididymis nourishes and supports sperm, making them motile before they exit during ejaculation.
• 😀 The duct of the epididymis carries sperm from the head to the tail and then into the ductus deferens.
• 😀 Ejaculation triggers sperm to move from the epididymis through the ductus deferens to the prostate and urethra.
• 😀 The spermatic cord contains the ductus deferens, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, traveling to the pelvic cavity.
• 😀 The ductus deferens merges with the seminal vesicle at the ampulla to form the ejaculatory duct.
• 😀 The ejaculatory duct passes through the prostate gland and empties into the prostatic urethra, which is the first section of the male urethra.
• 😀 The male urethra has three regions: the prostatic urethra, membranous urethra, and spongy urethra, through which sperm exit the body.

Q & A

Where are sperm produced in the male body?

Sperm are produced in the seminiferous tubules, which are located within the testes.

What is the role of the rete testis in sperm transport?

The rete testis collects sperm from the seminiferous tubules and serves as a network of channels that funnel sperm into the efferent ductules.

How do sperm move from the testis to the epididymis?

Sperm move from the testis to the epididymis through the efferent ductules, which are 12 to 15 small ducts that transport sperm.

What are the three regions of the epididymis, and what are their functions?

The epididymis has three regions: the head (where sperm enter from the efferent ductules), the body (where sperm continue through a single duct), and the tail (where sperm mature and are stored).

How long does it take for sperm to travel through the epididymis?

It takes about 20 days for sperm to travel from the head to the tail of the epididymis, during which time they mature and become motile.

What happens to sperm if they are not ejaculated?

If sperm are not ejaculated, they are reabsorbed by the cells of the epididymis after a few months.

What is the function of the ductus deferens?

The ductus deferens carries sperm from the epididymis to the pelvic cavity, where it becomes part of the spermatic cord and eventually leads to the ejaculatory duct.

What is the spermatic cord, and what does it contain?

The spermatic cord is a bundle of structures that includes the ductus deferens, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. It connects the testes to the pelvic region.

What is the ejaculatory duct, and how is it formed?

The ejaculatory duct is formed when the ductus deferens merges with the seminal vesicle. It then passes through the prostate gland and empties into the prostatic urethra.

What are the three regions of the male urethra, and what is their significance?

The male urethra has three regions: the prostatic urethra (passing through the prostate), the membranous urethra (passing through the pelvic floor), and the spongy urethra (passing through the penis). The spongy urethra is the final pathway through which sperm exits the body during ejaculation.